EXCLUSIVE: The hugely buzzed-about ‘R’-rated comedy Ted was scheduled for release July 13th. But Universal execs moved quickly to grab this date now that Paramount’s G.I. Joe: Retaliation sequel moved off June 29th to add 3D. After all, the movie and campaign are ready, I’m told. Seth MacFarlane is the writer, director, producer, and voice talent behind the foul-mouthed teddy bear alongside Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis. “The movie has had so much buzz since the minute the trailers were released that we’ve been looking to see if there was an earlier date available,” a Universal insider tells me. “It also gives us two more weeks of primetime summer. And allows for the word of mouth to build through the weeks up through Fourth Of July.” Hollywood is shocked that Paramount vacated the primo date, especially because Paramount blew a wad on a Superbowl commercial and already was starting TV and outdoor ads for GI Joe 2.

35 Comments

I hear TED is hilarious and GI Joe is un-screenable and way over budget. Congratulations UNI!

Alex • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Hugely buzzed? Since when and by who?

Anonymous • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Me and everyone I know. And we’ll be hugely buzzed when we go see it.

Signed – the demo.

alex • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

people are giving GI Joe’s move a free pass (better 3-d? right? how about expensive, unwatchable mess…) and the issue you have is that TED is being buzzed about? have you not seen the trailer? Talked to anyone with a pulse who has seen the trailer? TED is going to be huge…mark my words.

Doc Michaels • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

MacFarlane, Universal and TED just got a Christmas gift.

Anonymous • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

So now it premieres the day after Wilfred on FX. The comparisons will be inevitable.

Taylor • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Only for the blind, perhaps, since one is about a teddy bear come to life, the other is about a dude in a dog suit.

anonymous • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

you are an idiot…. and obviously know nothing about Ted…. go back to Iowa.

Anonymous • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

What are you, twelve? Why so defensive? I didn’t say anything to disparage Ted. Go to Twitter and enter “Ted” and “Wilfred” in the same search. A lot of people are noting the similarity between the two.

That being said, Ted looks hilarious.

Clark Griswold • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Wonder if either Bourne or Total Recall will now move up to July 13. Can’t believe both of those are still scheduled for the same Aug 3 opening.

jake • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

I agree, there is no reason that two action movies need to come out the same weekend.

Anonymous • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

And get caught between Spider Man and The Dark Night Rises? Bad idea.

whaaa? • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

so ‘highly buzzed about’ no one in my office (of 15 people under 30) have never heard of it..
way to go Universal! from the people that brought us BATTLESHIP.

anon imus • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

So you work in an office of people who are proudly uninformed about movies? Good for you!

Michael • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

You,re just admitting to how out of touch you all are. It’s like saying “we are so important that if WE arent talking about it then it can’t matter”. Time to play catch up…????

Ray • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Eh. I guess i will be watching Magic Mike

Curbcooler • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

If Fox had any sense they wold have immediately moved Abraham Lincoln Va,pure hunter to that date. Tnat way they wouldn’t have to go up against Pixar and wouldn’t have to come out just 2 weeks after there other movie Prometheus.

Taylor • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Let’s be real, if Fox had any sense, they wouldn’t have even greenlit a pitch about Abraham Lincoln and vampires in the first place because it’s so absurdly stupid.

Sage • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Taylor…”greenlit a pitch”? How about buying the rights and filming a big bestseller. Not my cup of tea, but obviously there is an audience for it.

Farzan • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

I can’t wait for this movie. Everyone at my school is talking about Ted.

KiKi • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Every kid at my son’s school is bonkers to see this movie too!

Mike • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Adding 3D is the new Putting Lipstick on a Pig.

mikeJR • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

personally, I don’t like 3D movies… the technology makes the movie too dark, which makes it difficult to watch. I’ll stick to 2D movies and the PIGS without lipstick!

dick • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

the sooner the better. most pumped ive been for a comedy in a long time. the trailer online..(not so much the on tv) is hilarious. FUCK YOU THUNDER!!

Aeiouy • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Nobody in your office under 30 watches family guy?

Watcher • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

This movie is HYSTERICAL !! The screening I attended the audience was howling….there’s always one or two flicks every summer that come from seemingly nowhere and do well…my money would be on Ted, word of mouth will be strong.

kimbie • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Can’t wait! The sooner the better. Seth is a genius and could never be compared to something as simple as Willard!

Buzzy • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Hugely Buzzed? Really? How do you come up with this nonsense?
It’s the Beaver 2.

GM • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

“Hugely buzzed-about?” By who?

The only thing I’ve heard said about Ted (and I think the world of Seth McFarlane’s talent) is that Ted sounds waaaaay too much like Peter Griffin from Family Guy. I love Family Guy and I, too, believe that Ted sounds like the Peter Griffin character.

GC • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Mila always sounds like Meg in every movie and no one complains.

The only thing anyone will care about is if the movie makes them laugh. I was at a test screening….the audience went NUTS.

The only thing that can hurt this movie is kids buying tickets to other movies and sneaking into the R rated Ted.

Karmac • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

The insidious frat boy mentality prevails in Tinseltown. Repulsive casual harassment of women spins gold according in Hollywood. MacFarlane is the patron saint of woman-hating and acceptable rape jokes.

Stan • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Bold, Harvey-style, move.

Timone Aribs • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

I think the move really prevented G.I joe retaliation from being a flop like recent seQuels (wrath of the titans & ghost rider 2) have shown & adding 3D to it should guarantee some big bucks…

Nadine • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

Been looking forward to Ted for months! @Karmac, yes MacFarlane’s humor is sexist, but the guy makes fun of everyone and, more importantly, he’s hilarious.

MattyD • on May 23, 2012 3:14 pm

I’m not too sure Total Recall or Bourne Legacy will move up take Ted’s spot. Ha I’m sure they’d rather compete with each other than one of them having their second weekend squashed by The Dark Knight Rises. Total Recall should at least move to a later date though, I’m pretty sure it’s gonna lose against Legacy.